AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri hints Kaka will start

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has hinted that he may hand new signing Kaka a place in the starting line-up at Torino this weekend.

The 31-year-old re-joined the club on transfer deadline day in a free transfer from Real Madrid, and although he only featured for 45 minutes in a friendly last weekend, he is believed to have worked well on his fitness levels.

As a result, Allegri has suggested that he is open to the possibility of putting Kaka straight into his starting line-up for the trip to Turin on Saturday night.

“I think he will be in the starting XI,” Allegri noted on Friday as reported by Football Italia. “He is in good shape, he has trained really well and he has the enthusiasm of a young boy.

“I think he is a little nervous about his debut tomorrow and it is only normal that he is missing a bit of match sharpness.”

Allegri went on to praise the Brazilian for his influence on the squad since his return, claiming that he spends a lot of time at Milanello and is a “great example for the youngsters”.

The Rossoneri tactician confirmed that both Kaka and Mario Balotelli would start in a 4-3-1-2 system, but is unsure at this stage as to who will partner the latter up-front.

That in turn led to questions over Stephan El Shaarawy, who was dropped to the bench for the last game before the international break with fresh speculation surfacing regarding his future at the club.

“There is no problem with El Shaarawy. It doesn’t exist. It was his first season under the spotlight, but he did well.

“You can’t fear competition for places when you are in a great team. That needs to be a stimulus. El Shaarawy needs to stay calm because he has my faith,” he added.

While Allegri has options in attack, he is set to deal with an injury crisis in defence for the next few weeks after both Ignazio Abate and Mattia De Sciglio were ruled out with injury.

Cristian Zaccardo is expected to start at right back, while the Milan coach will decide between Kevin Constant and Urby Emanuelson for the left-back slot.